* PLEASE NOTE: The report "could" contain "Pirate/SLIM" operations or
more likely a "BUSTED CALLSIGN". As always, you never know - "Work
First Worry Later".

3DA, SWAZILAND (EME Op). Operators Vincent/3DA0VV, Chris/PA2CHR, Lins/
PA3CMC, Andrew/ZS6AVH, John/ZS6JON and ZS6EME will be active as 3DA0MB
from Swaziland October 3-18th. Activity will be on EME using the 2m,
70cm and 23cm bands. Modes will be JT65 and CW. QSL via PA3CMC.
3W, VIETNAM (Update). Yuri, RM0F (ex RA0FU), is now active as 3W9FU from
Nha Trang. He is expected to move to Hon Tam Island (AS-157) between May
9-11th, and sign as 3W9FU/P. Activity will be holiday style on 40-10
meters using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. Equipment is a TS-480HX and
200 watts into a SteppIR and Buddipole. QSL via LoTW, ClubLog's OQRS
and Bureau.
3Y0Z BOUVET ISLAND DXPEDITION UPDATE. The following was added to the
Web page on May 1st: We have added a prop-
agation page to our website. It displays a series of videos showing
propagation predictions during our anticipated stay on Bouvet Island —
January-February of 2018. Find the page in our header menu and click
on one of the videos to display time, frequency, and strength of signals
anticipated at your QTH. The predictions are based on the average sunspot
numbers predicted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) for January of 2018.
3Y0Z BOUVET ISLAND DXPEDITION (Press Release #5, dated May 5th) [edited].
The Bouvet Island DXpedition team (3Y0Z), is pleased to make an important
announcement about our transportation plans to Bouvet Island.
From the beginning, we have worked with Nigel Jolly to secure safe,
reliable, and affordable transportation to Bouvet. We both have struggled
with the costs involved in getting Nigel's ship and a helicopter from
New Zealand to the tip of South America to begin the voyage to Bouvet.
Together, we have been working to find alternatives while Nigel's vessel,
the Claymore II stood ready for our use if we could not find a suitable
alternative. We are announcing today that we have found an alternate vessel
that eliminates the repositioning costs and at the same time adds additional
margins of safety for our team.
DAP, a Chilean maritime and aviation company that took some of us to
Peter I in 2006, recently acquired a vessel that is perfect for our DX-
pedition to Bouvet. This company also has a fleet of 16 helicopters. Bob,
K4UEE, and George, N4GRN, have just returned from Punta Arenas, Chile,
where they inspected the vessel, the helicopters and discussed our require-
ments with DAP. Nigel Jolly supplied us with a checklist to be used while
inspecting DAP's vessel and helicopter capabilities.
Based on our observations, and our discussions, and based on DAP's
reputation and our personal history with DAP; we feel we have found a
sound alternative and optimum means of transportation to Bouvet. DAP's
ship is somewhat larger than Nigel's vessel, and they have offered us
two helicopters instead of only one. They are both medium duty, twin
engine BO-105 helicopters. We will also have two pilots and mechanics
with years of Antarctic flying experience. The ship is being re-fitted
with a hanger to house those two helicopters during transit and poor
weather conditions..
The vessel's Captain and crew have sailed the vessel for many years
and have been retained by DAP. Interestingly, one of the crew members
that will accompany us to Bouvet is Alejo Contreras Staeding. He is a
well known Antarctic explorer, guide, glaciologist and adventurer. We
met him in 2006 on the way to Peter I. We are extremely pleased to have
him join us.
We have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with DAP and a formal contract
is being drafted. We will review that contract with Nigel, and expect to
sign it soon. This is an important step, as the new vessel and the capabil-
ities of DAP will fully complement our team. This is a winning partnership
that helps assure not only safety for our team, but an excellent chance
of a very successful DXpedition under the extreme circumstances we are
expecting.
Our departure will be approximately mid-January, 2018, possibly sailing
to Bouvet from King George Island. We expect 9-11 day voyage to Bouvet.
When the weather allows, we will land on the island by helicopter. Our
first priority will be to inspect the terrain, select a site clear of
crevasses and establish our shelters stocked with emergency supplies.
Once secured, we will bring the rest of our equipment ashore and commence
radio operations as soon as possible. We expect to be at Bouvet for 21
days, and allowing for weather, hope to be on the air for 14-16 days.
This is likely the most expensive DXpedition ever attempted and the
operating team has committed to fund up to 50% of the costs. We are hopeful
the DX community will fund the remainder. You may follow our planning
progress and see our fund-raisings results on our website .
73, Ralph-K0IR
Bob-K4UEE
Erling-LA6VM
7Y9, ALGERIA. Members of the "World Djelfa Radio Club "(7X2VFK) will be
using the special callsign 7Y9TWD between May 15-18th. Activity is to
celebrate World Telecommunication Day (May 17th). Operators mentioned
are Mohamed/7X2DD, Noury/??7X2JV and Amine/7X2VB. Activity will be on
all bands and modes. QSL via 7X2DD.
CN, MOROCCO. Bernhard, OE9SBD, is now active as CN2SB near Marrakech
until May 16th. Activity will be on 20/10 meters CW. QSL via his home
callsign.
E39DI POSTPONED! Zorro, JH1AJT, reports [edited]: E39DI activity from
Dahlak Island is postponed. Our E3 DXpedition Team will go to Dahlak
Archipelago as planned, but the stay there will be shortened due to a
strong suggestion by the Eritrean Government. Hence, very unfortunately,
we may not have sufficient time to operate from there this time. Instead
we will do research on how we can operate next time, most probably in the
fall of this year, studying the terrain, facilities available, accessi-
bility and so on. We also hope the condition will become better in the
autumn. So your understanding will be highly appreciated. Please note
E31A operation will be conducted from Asmara as scheduled (May 19-29th).
E5, SOUTH COOK ISLANDS. Milan, OK1DWC, who is still active as E51DWC
from the Rarotonga Islands (OC-013, WAZ-32), announced that he will be
in the CQWW WPX DX CW Contest (May 27-28thth) as a Single-Op/All-Band/
High-Power entry. QSL via his home callsign. Confirmation is not a
problem across all OQRS's and the information can be found on:
http://QRZ.com/lookup/E51DWC
http://QRZ.COM/lookup/OK1DWC
http://www.hamqth.com/E51DWC
FP, ST. PIERRE AND MIQUELON. Members of the Cambridge University Wireless
Society will be active as FP/homecall from St. Pierre and Miquelon Islands
(NA-032) between September 13-23rd. Operators mentioned are Fred/DH5FS,
Jens/DK2AB, Martin/G3ZAY, Michael/G7VJR, Dominic/M0BLF and Dan/M0WUT.
Activity will be on various HF bands and modes. Check QRZ.com for QSL
info. Most operators use ClubLog or LoTW.
HG, HUNGARY (HAFF/WWFF Op). István, HA0KA, will lead a small team to
operate from Lázbérci Landscape Protection Area (HAFF-0028) between
May 10-12th. They will then move to Aggteleki National Park (HAFF-0001)
between May 12-14th. The callsign to be used will be HG0WFF. Operators
mentioned are Zoli/HA0DX, Sanyi/HA0HV, Laci/HA0HW, István/HA0KA, Pisti
(The son of HA0KA), Tóni/HA0LG, Máté/HA0MT, Géza/HA3FFG and János/HA7NB.
Activity will be on all HF bands using CW, SSB and the Digital modes.
They plan to have multi-stations with 100 watts and each working with
dipoles and verticals. QSL via HA0HW, direct, by the Bureau or ClubLog's
OQRS (preferred).
IOTA NEWS..............
AS-008. Operators Makoto/JI5RPT and Toru/JI5USJ will be active as
homecall/1 from Shikine Island (North Izu Island) between
0000z, May 20th and 0000z, May 21st. Activity will be on
160/80/40/30/20/17/15/12/10/6 meters using CW, RTTY and PSK31.
There will also be satellite operations. Please note: In case
of heavy rain or other conditions, the operation schedule
may vary. For QSL info, please check QRZ.com for details.
AS-159. Members of the SAKRAD and TRAC Amateur Radio Clubs (Burhan/
TA1BX, Erdal/TA2ABC, Mutlu/TA2AWM and Gurel/TA2DX) will be
active as TC0M from Kefken Island between May 19-21st. Activity
will be on various HF bands and modes.
EU-123. Gordon, MM0GOR, will be active as MM1E from Great Cumbrae
Island during the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 29-30th) as a
Single-Op/All-Bands/SSB-Mode/DXpedition entry. QSL via MM1E
or LoTW.
EU-127. Walter, DL3LBP, will be active as DL3LBP/p from Helgoland
Island between May 14-21st. QSL via DL3LBP, direct, by the
Bureau, LoTW or eQSL.
SA-033/ Operators Alexey/HC2AO, Sergey/R4WAA and Yan/RZ3FW will be
SA-034. active as HD2RRC/4 and HD2RRC/P from Salango Island (SA-033)
and Puna Island (SA-034) between May 21-30th. Activity will
be mostly on 40/30/20 meters. QSL via RZ3FW or ClubLog's OQRS.
MD, ISLE OF MAN (Cancelled). Operations by Gordon/MM0GOR (MD1E) and
Mark/M0UTD (MD1U) for the RSGB IOTA Contest has been cancelled. No reason
given.
P4, ARUBA. Operators Kurt/DF4XX, Olaf/DL4HG, Andy/DL7AT and Uwe/DL8UD
will be active as P40X from Aruba (SA-036) between July 22nd and August
6th. Activity will be on 160-6 meters, possibly 60m, using CW, SSB and
RTTY. The team will also be in the RSGB IOTA Contest (July 29-30th) as
a Multi-Op/All-Band/Mixed-Mode/DXpedition entry. QSL via DL8UD, direct,
by the Bureau or ClubLog's OQRS. No eQSL.
PJ7, ST. MAARTEN (Update). Operators Dave/K9UK, Ken/KK9N, Tom/W9AEB,
Dave/W9DR and John/W9KXQ will be active as PJ7/homecall from St. Maarten
(NA-105) between June 14-20th or 28th. The group plans to have 3 stations on
the air. Station 1: PJ7/W9DR will be on 6 meters with a Beacon on 50.115.7
MHz. Stations 2 and 3 (PJ7/W9KXQ, PJ7/KK9N, PJ7/K9UK and PJ7/W9AEB) will
be on 80-10 meters using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. QSL via their
home callsign.
PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (May 8-14th).......
May/08th HN May/11th HN May/13th AN
May/09th AN May/12th AN May/14th AN
May/10th AN
SOLAR REFERENCE KEYS/INDEXES AND GEOMAGNETIC REFERENCE
======================================================
NORMALITY GEOMAG K Values Alpha
----------------- ------ -------- ------
AN - Above Normal Quiet K=0-1 0-7
HN - High Normal Unsettled K=2 8-15
LN - Low Normal Active K=3 16-29
BN - Below Normal Minor Storm K=4 30-49
DIS - Disturbed Major Storm K=5 50-99
VRY DIS - Very Disturbed Severe Storm K=6-9 100-400
REALTIME BAND CONDITIONS WEB SITE :
The purpose of this experimental Web site is to provide 24-7-365 actual
(REALTIME) band condition information to CW QRPp, QRPe and CW/SSB for
Contesters interested in increasing their scores. It can also be of
benefit to other Radio Amateurs to determine band conditions for Nets
and casual QSO's. This information is NOT based on any software pre-
dictions or any kind of satellite based readings. It is based on a
new Ionospheric sounding method called "HF Ionospheric Interferometry"
which operates very similarly to the PolSAR system used by NASA.
Also, check out the VOACAP predication Web page at:
http://www.voacap.com/prediction.html
A daily HF radio wave propagation forecast can be found at:
https://www.facebook.com/thomasfranklingiellaw4hm
Also on Twitter: https://twitter.com/@GiellaW4hm
QSL INFO AND NEWS...................
QSL-INFO from DB0SDX by Lothar, DL1SBF.. (May 5th)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
4X69KS via 4X1KS K4L via KK3Q TM100AEG via F1UMO
5R8M via IK2VUC K4N via KK3Q TM10ISS via F4KIS
AM8TRV via EA8URA & (L) K4S via KK3Q TM62ISS via F5INJ
DR4U via DK9KW OE3KIDS via OE3CFC VU4YC via W5UE
EA6/F5SGI via F5SGI OF1MN via OH1MN W4D via KK3Q
EN105N via UT7NY (d) OH0CO via SM6CCO & (L) W4I via KK3Q
HF0HERTZ via SP5PPA OZ30EU via OZ8IE W4N via KK3Q
HF150GMZ via SP2ZAO RP72PW via RX7K W4O via KK3Q
HV0A via IK0FVC RP72S via RV3LZ W4S via KK3Q
JD1BMH via JG7PSJ (d); JD1BMH (B) W4U via KK3Q
K4A via KK3Q SN0BEM via SP5KVW W5A via WD0EUF (d)
K4F via KK3Q SV5/SP7VC via SP7VC (d/L)
(e) eQSL only (d) direct only (B) Bureau only (*-B) DX's- Bureau
(O) OQRS only (C) ClubLog only (L) LoTW only
YI0MTU (QSL direct): Middle Technical University Zafaraniah,
P.O. Box 29034, Baghdad, Iraq
QSL WALL (to be Available at Hamvention). The ARRL Web page posted
the following on May 5th [edited]: Hamvention® May 19-21st, in Xenia,
Ohio, will borrow a tradition from Friedrichshafen, Germany's Ham Radio
event — a QSL wall, where visitors can tack up their QSL cards for all
to see. "The big wall at Friedrichshafen is very popular and covered
with hundreds and hundreds of cards by the end of the show," said ARRL
Marketing Manager Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R. The Hamvention QSL wall will
be in Building 1 near the Hamvention prize booth; (ARRL EXPO will be
in Building 2 of the Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center in Xenia,
Ohio.)... Don’t forget your QSL for the wall!
OLD QSL COLLECTION (Update). Jean Michel, F6AJA, wants to remind everyone
to visit the Les Nouvelles DX (LNDX) Web page to see more than 14600 old
QSL cards in several different albums/galleries. This site contains:
- The ten most wanted DXCC entities (2007 to 2016) with more than
500 QSLs
- At least one card for each 60 deleted DXCC countries (more than
1800+ QSLs)
- Nearest the totality of current prefixes, disappeared now (more
than 4900+ QSLs)
- Album for stations from North Africa 1945-1962 (400+ QSLs)
- More than 950+ QSLs from the Antarctic bases.
- With 270 QSLs from the TAAF (Terres Australes and Antarctiques
Francaises).
- More than 450 QSLs for the rare French Pacific Islands such as
FK, FK/C, FO/C, FO/A, FO/M, FO/C and FW
- More than 100 cards from Eparses Islands such as FR/B/E/G/J/T
- The FG, FM, FP, FS, FY stations from 1945 to 1969
- Commemoratives stations for ITU and IARU with more than 700 QSL.
- More than 2300 cards for the old timer with more than 150 countries
before 1945.
- Cards from the French Department before 1945.
- At least one card from each of the states in the U.S. before 1945.
The URL address for the Web site is: http://LesNouvellesDX.free.fr
Some cards are still needed for the collection, and your particip-
ation is welcome. Only a ".jpg" file (both sides of the card) is required.
Please visit the site and give them your comments by sending an E-mail
to: LesNouvellesDX@free.fr
QSLS RECEIVED VIA LoTW: C5GCJ, CO2ER, DO4DXA, EA1EC, EA1EVR, FW5JJ,
LU3MAM, OH2BBT, PJ2LS, VE3XN, VR2XMT, XR5M (SA-061) and YJ0YM
QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: BA5HAM, P29VXG, RA1ALA/0, S21SM, TU7C, UA0JQ,
VP6EU, XR5M, XX9D and ZZ8P
QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: NONE REPORTED THIS WEEK!!!
T8 PALAU. Operators Ichiro/JH7IPR (T88UW), Mike/JA6EGL (T88SM) and Kouko/
JQ6FQI (T88WM) will be active from the VIP Guest Hotel (Free Radio Room)
on Koror Island (OC-009), between October 11-17th. Activity will be on
160-6 meters using CW, SSB, JT65 and JT9. QSL T88UW via JH7IPR, direct,
by the Bureau, eQSL, LoTW or ClubLog. QSL T88WM via JQ6FQI, by the Bureau
or direct. QSL T88SM via his home callsign direct only. For more details
about the VIP Guest Hotel (Free Radio Room), see:
http://www.palau-radio.com/index.php?page=rr2014
T8 PALAU. Chusuke, JR1FKR, will once again be active as T88TJ from the
VIP Guest Hotel (Free Radio Room) on Koror Island (OC-009), between June
28th and July 2nd. Activity will be on 40/20/17/15/10/6 meters using SSB
and RTTY. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by the Bureau. DO NOT QSL
via the T8 Bureau. For more details about the VIP Guest Hotel (Free Radio
Room), see: http://www.palau-radio.com/index.php?page=rr2014
TC10, TURKEY (Special Event). Members of the TADX Special Activity Group
will activate the following special event station callsigns TC10A, TC10E,
TC10F, TC10K, TC10L, TC10M, TC10R, TC10S, TC10T and TC10U between October
20th and November 20th. Activity is to commemorate the 79th anniversary
of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's (1881-1938) death, the founder of the Turkish
Republic and the first president of the Republic. Operations will be on
160-10 meters using CW, SSB and the Digital modes (RTTY/PSK). QSL via
TA5FA, LoTW or eQSL. There will be an online log search and a download-
able PDF certificate.
TR, GABON. Roland, F8EN (ex-CN8EM, FO8BV, 3C3CR, TR50R) will once again
return to Gabon and be active as TR8CR between May 18th and June 3rd.
Activity will be CW only on 20 and 30 meters. QSL via F6AJA, and the log
will be uploaded after his activity at:
http://lesnouvellesdx.fr/voirlogs.php
TK, CORSICA. Bruno, F4CZU, will be active as TK/F4CZU from Corsica (EU-014)
between May 8-20th. Activity will be on various HF bands, probably 40-10
meters. QSL via his home callsign.
V3, BELIZE. Mike, VO1OK, is now active as V31OK from Belize (NA-073)
until May 14th. Look for him to first be active from Belize City between
May 5-9th, and then from Caye Caulker between May 9-14th. Activity is
usually on 40/20/10 meters SSB using an Elecraft KX3 transceiver into
a LNR end-fed and an Alpha vertical antennas. QSL via his home callsign
or LoTW.
VP5/VQ5, TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS. Art, KZ5D, will be active as VP5/KZ5D
from Turks and Caicos Islands between May 25-31st. Activity will be on
various HF bands. He also plans to be in the CQWW WPX CW Contest (May
27-28th) using the callsign VQ5D. QSL via LoTW.
VU4, ANDAMAN ISLANDS. Operators James/9V1YC and Deepak/VU2CDP are now
active as VU4YC from Neil Island (AS-001), Andaman Islands for about a
week. Activity has been on 40/30/20/17/12 meters using CW. DX-World
reported that they have two stations on the air operating 80-10 meters
using mostly CW with some SSB. QSL via W5UE.
WAS THE DELETIONS OF KH4 AND KH7 A MISTAKE? Bill Kennamer, K5FUV, former
Membership Services Manager K5FUV, recently has written an article called
"The Unfortunate Deletion of KH4" which can be read on "The Daily DX Blog"
at: http://www.dailydx.com/unfortunate-deletion-kh4-k5fuv-bill-kennamer
Comments can be read and posted on the above URL.
XW, LAOS. Champ, E21EIC, will once again be active as XW1IC from Vientiane
between May 8-10th. Activity will be focused on 20/17/15 meters using RTTY.
QSLs must be requested via the OQRS on ClubLog or via E21EIC and LoTW.
NO PAPER QSL IS NEEDED.
YASME NEWS (Press Release, date May 1st). [edited] THE YASME FOUNDATION
ANNOUNCES GRANTS TO SUPPORT YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN AMATEUR RADIO -- The Board
of Directors of The Yasme Foundation is pleased to announce several grants
in furtherance of Yasme's goal of encouraging youth participation in
amateur radio and operating activities. The Yasme Foundation encourages
amateurs to support activities that promote amateur radio and result in
new licensees around the world.
The seventh edition of the Youngsters on the Air (YOTA) conference
will take place in August 2017 in North London . Over
100 young amateurs from all IARU regions will gather to participate in a
series of programs and workshops about amateur radio as well as inter-
cultural exchanges and social interaction. Gatherings such as YOTA exemplify
the ability of amateurs to work together across national borders and
ethnicities in the best "ham spirit" of friendship. The Yasme Board is
pleased to assist in helping young amateurs attend this meeting that other-
wise would be unable to attend.
Continuing its support of YOTA that began in 2016, the Board is pleased
to announce that it has made grants to young amateur radio operators to
support their attendance at the 2017 YOTA conference, as follows:
- A grant to make possible the attendance of two Ethiopian amateur radio
operators at the 2017 YOTA conference
- A grant to make possible the attendance of two Tunisian amateur radio
operators at the 2017 YOTA conference
- A grant to make possible the attendance of two Kosovo amateur radio
operators at the 2017 YOYA conference
The Board has also made a grant to Kevin Richardson, G0PEK, and his
daughter Lauren, M6HLR, for the purchase of ADRF and HF, VHF and UHF
portable radio equipment in support of their activities to encourage
youth involvement in amateur radio in the United Kingdom.
Yasme has been a frequent supporter of Contest University (CTU)
. Earlier this year the Board made a grant
to CTU to facilitate the attendance of Dr. Tamitha Skov at this year's
Dayton Hamvention CTU session. Dr. Skov is a Research Scientist at The
Aerospace Corporation in Los Angeles, California, and is a frequent lecturer
in the fields of solar and space physics. She makes regular "Spaceweather
TV" presentations on her YouTube channel .
Dr. Skov is one of the Professors at the 2017 CTU in Ohio and her talk
is entitled "The Wonderful World of Space Weather."
* * * * * *
The Yasme Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation organized to conduct
scientific and educational projects related to Amateur Radio, including
DXing (long distance communication) and the introduction and promotion of
Amateur Radio in developing countries. For additional information about
The Yasme Foundation, visit our website at .
Ward Silver, N0AX, President
The Yasme Foundation
Board of Directors: Ward Silver, N0AX, President and Director
Ken Claerbout, K4ZW, Vice-President and Director
Rusty Epps, W6OAT, Director and Treasurer
Kip Edwards, W6SZN, Director and Secretary
Hans Blondeel Timmerman, PB2T, Director
Martti Laine, OH2BH, Director
Fred Laun, K3ZO, Director
Bob Vallio, W6RGG, Director
ZA, ALBANIA (Update). Operators Alfredo/IK7JWX, Leopoldo/I8LWL, Nicola/
I0SNY and YL Titti/IK8GQY will be active as ZA/IK7JWX from Sazan Island
(EU-169) between June 10-20th. Activity will be on various HF bands and
6 meters. QSL via IK7JWX, direct, by the Bureau, LoTW or ClubLog's OQRS.